ANDRITZ Schuler’s 1.5-gigawatt battery cell mass formation line for cylindrical booster cells has gone into operation for a “renowned German premium car manufacturer.”

Formation is the final step in battery cell manufacturing. After electrode production and cell assembly, the formation process activates cell chemistry through controlled charging and discharging, during which the electrolyte reacts with the anode to create a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer that protects the electrodes and enables efficient ion transport. This step is crucial for activating the battery, calibrating its capacity, and ensuring long-term performance, safety, and cycle life by minimizing irreversible capacity loss.

ANDRITZ Schuler says the line is powered by technology from ANDRITZ Sovema, which it notes was acquired by ANDRITZ Schuler. The formation line includes more than 50,000 channels, 200 formation chambers, integrated power electronics and a full Track & Trace system. It is also described as fully automated with automated loading and unloading.

ANDRITZ Schuler says the system “collects more than two million data points from the batteries per second.” The line is 22 meters long and 10 meters wide and high, and that it is designed for high energy efficiency with an “intelligent service and maintenance concept.”

Source: ANDRITZ